pation," said
the father guardian, pointing to the maps. "Your worship is considering
the unfortunate condition of the heretical king whom God, as it appears,
will soon cast down in the dust, and crush at the feet of the triumphant
Church."

"We must leave results, at all events, to God," said the prior, softly;
"He has so often evidently lent his aid to the King of Prussia, that I
think no one can count confidently upon Frederick's destruction now."

"The Holy Father at Rome has blessed the weapons of his adversaries,
consequently they must triumph," cried Father Theodore, unctuously. "But
pardon, your worship, I forgot my errand. A stranger wishes to see the
prior of the cloister; he has rare and beautiful relics to sell, which
he will only show to your worship."

"Our church is rich enough in relics," said the prior.

"Your worship does not attach any especial value to such things," said
the father guardian with a derisive smile; "but I must allow myself to
recall to you that the Holy Father in Rome has only lately addressed a
circular to all the cloisters, recommending the purchase of rare relics
to the awakening and advancing of the true faith."

"You, father guardian, must understand that matter best," said Brother
Anselmo, sticking four new pins into his map. "I think you brought back
this circular about six months since, when you returned to take the
place of guardian."

The father was in the act of giving an angry answer, but the prior came
forward, and pointing to the door, said, "Introduce the stranger with
the relics."

A few moments later the traveller from the hotel of Signor Montardo
entered the prior's room. He received a kindly welcome, and was asked to
show his treasures.

The stranger hesitated, and looked significantly at the two monks. "I
begged to be allowed to show them to your worship alone," said he.

"These two fathers are consecrated priests, and may therefore dare
to look upon the holy treasures," said the prior, with a scarcely
perceptible smile.

"I solemnly swore to the man from whom I bought these relics that I
would only show them to the most worthy member of your order; he was
a very pious man, and bitter necessity alone forced him to sell his
precious treasures; he prayed to God to grant them a worthy place, and
never to allow them to be desecrated by unholy eyes or hands. As the
most holy and worthy brother is ever chosen to be the prior, I swore to
show the relics only t